“Pores” or “Pours”—Which to use?

“Pores” or “Pours”

Overview

pores / pours are similar-sounding terms with different meanings (referred to as homophones). To better understand the differences, see below for definitions, pronunciation guides, and example sentences using each term. 👇

Definitions

pores: (noun) any tiny hole admitting passage of a liquid (fluid or gas). (noun) any small opening in the skin or outer surface of an animal.

pours: (verb) cause to run. (verb) move in large numbers. (verb) flow in a spurt. (verb) supply in large amounts or quantities. (verb) rain heavily.

Pronunciation

pores: p·AO·r·z

pours: p·AO·r·z

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Examples in Context

Examples of “pores”

…novel target that involves mitochondrial pores, which are believed to play…
…there are no body wax pores.
…these processes always smear the pores.
…material and close up the pores that are on the surface…
…other emotions, filtering through the pores of gross indifference and achieving…
…but this species has red pores.
…similarly coloured cap, and yellowish pores that bruise blue, but it…
…with its pale cap, yellow pores and red stipe, is not…
The pores are then vacuum impregnated with…
…material is a material containing pores with diameters less than 2

Examples of “pours”

…feather Munin gave him, Balder pours the water on it and…
Sophie panics and pours water onto the Witch, which…
He pours himself a glass of Scotch…
…with his staff and water pours out.
Copper pours must be created by painting…
In a religious fervour, he pours petrol on the brothel, sets…
…full of petrol that she pours over herself and holds a…
…slogan "When it rains it pours" with reference to the fact…
…in the weary summer season pours forth from under his wings…

(Examples are Wikipedia snippets under the CC ShareAlike 3.0 license. Definitions drawn from WordNet.)

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